Installing Sims 3 Packages - Old Way to the New Way

Before patch 1.12, the game really didn't have support for .package file content, and the way it was being done worked, but it was not designed to work that way.

With patch 1.12, EA has added support in Sims 3 for .package file content, allowing us to place it in a specific folder in Documents rather than Program Files, and simplifying the process by no longer requiring the d3dx9_31.dll file for script/core mods.

This guide will explain how to convert your method of handling custom content from the old way to the new way.

Check Game Version

Your base game will have to be patched to 1.12 or later to use the new method of handling custom content.

The easiest way to find your game version is to open the game Launcher. Look down at the very bottom left corner - you should see some tiny little icons. Float your cursor over the far left one and it will tell you your base game patch version - you need to have at least patch version 1.12 or later. If you don't see the icons at all, you need to update your game!

To update your game: Click on the "Game Updates" tab in the launcher and click Update Now.

Remove the Old Way

First, you'll need to remove the old files and folders - the old Sims 3 Framework for custom content.

Important: If you delete the wrong things, you WILL destroy your game. DO NOT DELETE anything which you have not been told to delete. If a file is not exactly where you are being told to look for it, you do not need to delete it.

Packages

Start by moving out any existing .package format content you may have from your old Mods\Packages folder.

Select all the files and folders in the Mods\Packages folder and CUT (or ctrl-x) them (not copy!), to remove them from the folder.

Make a new folder on your computer's desktop to hold these files temporarily. Call it something like "My Sims 3 Packages". Go into this new folder and PASTE (or ctrl-v) them, so the files are located only in this new folder. Verify that the Mods\Packages folder is now empty.

Folders

Mods Folder

Now that you've emptied the Packages folders, you can remove the mods folder. Go to:

If you don't have any content in the VirtualStore folders or no VirtualStore folder, don't worry about it.
If you have an Expansion Pack or Stuff Pack, you may want to verify the content for those respective folders in the Virtual Store are removed as well.
If AppData folder (and contents) are hidden, you need to turn Off the Hidden File Settings.

Resource.cfg

While still in the same place (where you just deleted the Mods folder in Program Files), also delete the resource.cfg file found here:

Expansions/Stuff Packs?

If you have any expansions or stuff packs, you need to repeat the above steps (Folders, Resource.cfg, and d3dx9_31.dll) for any expansions or stuff packs you may have installed. You shouldn't need to transfer out any .packages as you will only have placed them in the base game's folder.

To do this, simply go into the expansion/stuff pack folder instead of just The Sims 3. So if you have World Adventures, you'd open:

Same for High End Loft Stuff, or any other expansions/stuff packs you may have installed - remove any Mods\Packages folder, remove the resource.cfg, and remove the d3dx9_31.dll from each. If, for some reason, you don't have those elements in the expansion/stuff pack folders, don't worry about it.

Done With the Old Way

After you have successfully moved your custom content, and removed the single resource.cfg, Mods/Packages folder, and d3dx9_31.dll file from each Expansion or stuff pack as well as the base game, you're done removing the old way of handling .package files. While this all may not strictly be necessary to get your custom content working the new way, it will ensure that you won't have unforeseeable problems in future due to the old files and folders you may have left lying around.

Learn About the New Way

Now, you need to set up your game for handling custom content the new way.

Now PASTE (or ctrl-v) to move the files from the temporary folder into the new Mods\Packages folder. If you downloaded the suggested test file, you should be pasting your .packages alongside a file called NoBuildSparkles.package

You can then remove the temporary "My Sims 3 Packages" folder from your desktop, as you don't need it anymore.

Test

Now you need to test whether everything is still working properly with your custom content in.

Then, try running the game. If you've done the above properly, you should have all your custom content showing up as it was before.

Having Problems?

If the game doesn't finish loading, loads to a black screen, or crashes when loading, well, that's good and bad news.

The good news is that the game is reading your custom content, so technically, your .package files are working in-game.

The bad news is that one or more of the .package files you have is likely incompatible with the newer patch version.

Try removing any actual hack type mods first: anything that alters game behavior (Awesomemod, Twallan's story progression/mastercontroller/etc), any XML tuning mods or script mods, etc... These are most likely to cause problems if anything in them has been changed with the new patch (which it likely has been). Just cut and paste them temporarily to a folder on your Desktop so you can find them again. Then delete your cache files and try again.

If you're still having problems, you'll need to do a bit more intensive search for the problem file(s). Try removing half your custom content, again delete your cache files, and run the game. If the problem persists, you know the problem file(s) are in the half you have in currently, and you can halve the files again, delete cache files once more, and narrow it down that way - if the problem has disappeared you know the problem file(s) are likely in the other half that you removed, and you can put it back, again delete cache files, and narrow it down by halves this way.

Delphy's Dashboard may be helpful too, in identifying which files are likely safe (things like patterns, hair, default replacement skintones) and which are more likely to be problems (hacks, mods, objects).

If you're still having trouble, please post a new thread of your own in the Sims 3 Help Forums on MTS.